Reid it and weep, Travis

Jon Pierik

CONTRACT discussions between Collingwood and Ben Reid have slowed as the impasse with Travis Cloke - an issue that is having an impact on the player and club - continues.

Reid, an All-Australian centre half-back, is out of contract this year and it has been speculated he could be the one player squeezed out or, more likely, open to a big-money offer from a rival club as the Magpies deal with a tight salary cap.

Providing an adequate deal for a player of Ben Reid's stature looms as a challenge for the Magpies. Photo: Joe Armao

It's understood Reid wants to remain a Magpie, the club wants to keep him and he is not in the sights of Greater Western Sydney, one of several clubs in need of a key defender.

But providing an adequate deal for a player of Reid's stature looms as a challenge for the Magpies.

It's understood Reid asked for a two-year deal some months ago but the Magpies, who have been preoccupied with several contractual issues, Cloke's the most time consuming, have yet to commit to a timeframe.

''I meet with Paul Connors [Reid's manager] regularly. Paul has a number of our players, including Ben; nothing has been held up,'' he said.

Connors was unavailable for comment. Connors, who has nine Magpies on his books, last week secured midfielder Dayne Beams to a three-year deal believed to be worth about $1.1 million and has also inked new deals for Luke Ball, Jarryd Blair and Steele Sidebottom.

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The Magpies believe Connors' strong knowledge of their salary cap could work in the favour of his players and the club.

Coach Nathan Buckley has warned off-contract players the club has little room to manoeuvre under a bulging salary cap next season.

While Cloke has been under the spotlight for his contract demands, offers of $1 million a season from Melbourne and Fremantle, and poor form, the Magpies have also yet to secure deals for Sharrod Wellingham, Harry O'Brien and Tyson Goldsack.

Cloke's management, his father David, and Ralph Carr, did not return calls yesterday.

Cloke, a restricted free agent, is under growing pressure to snap out of his on-field funk, with the likes of retired stars Matthew Lloyd and Matthew Richardson urging him to re-sign as soon as possible in a bid to focus on regaining his form.

Cloke has managed only 35 goals in 16 matches, including just one each in his past two games, against Geelong and Hawthorn. The power forward even endured Bronx cheers from Pie fans when he kicked his lone goal late in the final term against the Hawks on Saturday.

This is in contrast to last season when he booted 69 goals and won All-Australian selection.

Lloyd said Cloke's performance on Saturday was more representative of a player worth $400,000 a season.

Cloke is after a five-year deal with the Magpies but would settle for four if the money was right. He wants more than $800,000 a season to remain with the club.

The Magpies face Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium on Saturday, giving Cloke and fellow key forward Chris Dawes a chance to regain their form.